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Caney Fork River gauges
Readings are every 15 minutes from the U.S. Geological Survey, shown hourly for the last seven days. The page checks USGS again each time it opens.
Caney Fork at Stonewall
USGS gauge 03424860
Latest reading 11:30 PM CDT, Wed, Sep 30
Flow
313 cfs
Down 1,447 cfs in 24 hours
7-day range 313 to 1,910 cfs
Gauge height
5.98 ft
Down 2.32 ft in 24 hours
7-day range 5.98 to 8.48 ft
Float trips
Floating and paddling the Caney Fork River
Cold, clear water below Center Hill Dam. Floats are timed around the dam’s generation, and the river rises fast when the turbines start.
Below Center Hill Dam to Happy Hollow
Below Center Hill Dam to Betty’s Island
Betty’s Island to Stonewall
No published flow range. Check the Center Hill Dam generation schedule before launching; the Corps of Engineers warns that water can be released without notice.
Put-ins and take-outs
Sources: Canoe the Caney trip list · Corps of Engineers generation schedules
Bigger purchases
Gear compared for floating the Caney Fork River
The electronics, motors, boats and batteries that cost real money, compared side by side with the Tennessee water each one suits. Affiliate links.
Dam releases
Dams on the Caney Fork River
Part of the Caney Fork River is controlled by releases from Center Hill Dam. When generators are running, the river below the dam rises quickly. The generation schedule for each dam is on its lake page.
Weather
Caney Fork River weather and wind forecast
Thu, Oct 1 night
63°F
Partly Cloudy
Wind SSE 5 mph
0% chance of rain
Thu, Oct 1
93°F
Mostly Sunny
Wind S 5 to 10 mph
0% chance of rain
Thu, Oct 1 night
70°F
Partly Cloudy
Wind S 5 mph
3% chance of rain
Fri, Oct 2
88°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Wind SW 5 to 10 mph
69% chance of rain
Fri, Oct 2 night
64°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Patchy Fog
Wind ENE 0 to 5 mph
61% chance of rain
Sat, Oct 3
78°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Wind NE 0 to 5 mph
68% chance of rain
National Weather Service forecast, updated 6:51 PM, Wed, Sep 30.
Sun and moon, Thu, Oct 8
USGS readings from the Caney Fork River, refreshed each time the page opens.
Go fishing
Where to get on the Caney Fork River
Other rivers
More Middle Tennessee rivers
Common questions
Caney Fork River level and paddling questions
Where are the Caney Fork River gauges?
USGS runs 1 gauge used on this page: Caney Fork at Stonewall.
What does cfs mean on the Caney Fork River?
Cubic feet per second: the volume of water passing the gauge each second. It is the best single number for how big the river is running. Gauge height is the water surface against a fixed point at that gauge and only compares with readings from the same gauge.
How often do the Caney Fork River readings update?
USGS gauges record every 15 minutes and usually report within an hour. This page checks USGS each time it opens and shows the time of the latest reading.
Why does the Caney Fork River rise and fall during the day?
Dam releases. When the dam upstream generates, the water below it rises within minutes and drops again when generation stops. The dam’s schedule is linked on this page.
Can you float the Caney Fork River?
Cold, clear water below Center Hill Dam. Floats are timed around the dam’s generation, and the river rises fast when the turbines start. Sections on this page: Below Center Hill Dam to Happy Hollow (6 miles); Below Center Hill Dam to Betty’s Island (9 miles); Betty’s Island to Stonewall.
What is a good level to paddle the Caney Fork River?
No published flow range. Check the Center Hill Dam generation schedule before launching; the Corps of Engineers warns that water can be released without notice.
Where can you put in on the Caney Fork River?
Access points listed on this page: Long Branch, Buffalo Valley, Happy Hollow, Betty’s Island, Stonewall. Each one links to driving directions.
How long does it take to float the Caney Fork River?
Below Center Hill Dam to Happy Hollow: 1.5–3 hours; Below Center Hill Dam to Betty’s Island: 3–5 hours; Betty’s Island to Stonewall: 2–5 hours.
Do you need a life jacket to kayak the Caney Fork River?
Yes. Tennessee requires a wearable life jacket for each person in a canoe or kayak, and anyone under 13 has to wear one while underway. Canoes and kayaks without a motor do not need to be registered.
River readings come from the U.S. Geological Survey and are provisional, as USGS publishes them. Forecasts come from the National Weather Service. Sunrise, sunset and moon phase are calculated for the location. Tennessee Fishing Spots is not affiliated with USGS or NWS.
Keep going
More the Caney Fork River water, and who fishes it
Every guide and charter on this site is listed by the water they run, so you can call the captain direct. Licences, limits and the state record list are one click away too.